Where the Wind Blows

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In a couple days, it was as if nothing had happened, and Shisui was back to his old self. His scuffle with Itachi was never brought up, and even though he tried his hardest to hide it, I could feel a sadness in him that I knew would never fully go away. 

Itachi and I graduated the academy soon after, and were assigned to Team 2. Shinko Inari was added to our team, and tried her best to keep up with us. We were working really well together, which I shouldn't have found surprising, since Itachi and I were easy to work with. It just felt different when we were with Team 2, or Shisui- when we were together, we really felt a perfect pair.

I was braiding Shinko's hair in-between training, when she asked, "So, what's the deal with you and Itachi?"

"What?"

She rolled her eyes, and turned to me. "Well," she asked, "Do you like him?"

"Of course I do, he's my comrade-"

"Oh come on Mira! You know I don't mean like that."

"I don't know what you mean," I responded.

I didn't know where Itachi was, but it was definitely nearby. I really didn't need him hearing this. 

"I mean," she went on,  "Do you think he's cute, would you date him...Things like that- Don't look at me like that! I won't believe it if you've never at least thought about it." 

"Well," I said, "You've already decided what is and isn't true. Maybe if you spent more time training instead of thinking about boys, Itachi and I wouldn't have to carry the team." 

I left before she could say something else, and I knew I really  didn't need to go there,  but I was annoyed. I'd make it up to her later, I thought. 

I got paired up with Itachi for our Kunai practice, and I knew I was upset, but didn't fully realize it until I saw that Itachi was using his Sharingan, and I was too. We matched each other jab for jab, and if it hadn't been for Yuki sensei telling us training was over, we could have gone on all day. 

 Itachi and I were packing our stuff, as he walked me home after training sessions, when Yuki stopped us. 

"I want to talk to you both about the Chunin exams," he said. 

He explained that he thought we were capable of passing, and that it would take place in a week's time. 

I was unusually quiet on our walk home, which Itachi obviously picked up on. 

"I thought you would be happy, since Shinko won't be able to burden us during the exam," he said.

"Eavesdrop much?" I glared at him, but he didn't seem to mind.

"Well," I continued, "Anyone could see that she would have dragged us down, but it's important to be able to work as a team. If you're lucky I'll try not to outshine you in the exam," I teased.

"I don't see how you couldn't," he said cooly. 

Neither of us mentioned what else he heard during our conversation, and instead talked about possible strategies in case we were attacked. The reality of becoming a Chunin was rapidly approaching, and I'd never felt more excited.

When we arrived at my house, I was about to say goodbye, when I felt two fingers poking my forehead. I'd seen Itachi do this to Sasuke, but didn't know why he was doing it to me. I didn't find out either, since as soon as I opened my mouth to ask, Itachi was gone.